Is there any way Mancini goes to a back 3? He was quoted the other day saying there is an issue with our Fullback quality and seemed to just imply he'd have to settle in that regard. Is it too late in the game to change the formation? We have depth in the middle of defense but our FBs are horrible and at best, uninspiring.
I honestly think we actually have some great full backs but many of them have been struggling with injury problems. Conti and Spinnazola are amazing when they are fit but as far as I know luck with injures have not been on their side. De Sciglio is honestly alright as well. Not really sure if going to a back 3 is best with our scenario right now.
Top flight Italian CBs right now: Bonucci Chiellini (will likely be picked in last tournament despite being rusty after injury) Romagnoli Caldera (still very capable, a change of scenery will do him good) Mancini Acerbi Izzo Di Lorenzo (solid in the middle of the pitch and is likely more comfortable here) That's 8 potential CBs all for 4 spots? In an era where we are weak at full-back....
just put chiellini as LB and Di Lorenzo as RB with Bonucci and Romagnoli in the middle. that would be a solid back 4. no one is going to score against them. we dont need the flying fullbacks. Chiellini has enough experience on when to attack and Di Lorenzo has been playing fullback alot this season
don't worry.. Grosso wasn't a household name until the 2006 World Cup. Someone will emerge. Maybe if Conti keeps getting more playing time at Milan and plays well... or Luca Pellegrini gets selected if Mancini is feeling like he wants to take a young LB with a high upside.
Grosso in one WC cycle, was more of a protagonist at left back than Paolo Maldini was in 14 years of national team duty playing both lb or center back....
We should call up Gabriele Martanelli from Arsenal, he is open to being called up. Also Jeao Pedro from Cagliari would be a good option too.
That second Immobile goal against Spal today was magnificent. Ciro's confidence is sky high, and I think he will break Higuain's 36 Serie A goal record. Lets hope his form continues at this summer's Euro. At this point, he's definitely Mancini's starter at CF (and deserves it after the season he's having...with Belotti as a solid backup). Most of us have not been his biggest fan, but we are seeing a player right now with supreme confidence...and maybe ready to help Italy win their second Euro cup. Funny enough, as the Euro's come closer, it looks like the two winger positions in a 4 3 3 may be a bigger question mark.
Immobile's form has earned him a starting spot for the NT; however the cynical part of me doubts he will be able to replicate his form anywhere other than in Inzaghi's system. We don't play like that under Mancini.
That's been my position in the past as well on Immobile. I've always considered him a decent backup on the national team, but not really worthy of starting. But he's having an incredible year, and his confidence at this point might see some different results come the summer. Maybe Mancini needs to tweak his tactics a bit to try to get the best out of Ciro. I know Italy play more possession based as opposed to counter attacking....but a good coach should be able to find a balance when they have a player in such incredible form.
It helps Ciro's cause that Insigne and Bernardeschi aren't having good seasons. Even though they play different positions than Ciro, those two would be among the players keeping Immobile out of the front three. That being said, Immobile isn't good enough to warrant a change of tactic. He's earned his place in the front three along with Chiesa. I think you have Bernardeschi and Insigne battling for the other spot. Zaniolo would have been in the conversation as well but for the injury.
Yeah, I would of went with Immobile, Chiesa (on the left), and Zaniolo on the right for a front three. At this point, I would assume Insigne will take the left with Chiesa on the right. I wonder if Orsolini will make the team. And at 20 years old, maybe Zaniolo makes a quick recovery and somehow makes the squad (though I can't see him being called on as a starter).
i'm still leaning Belotti. Hopefully with Mazzarri out again we will see Belotti regain his club form. I think he is better suited overall to be our starting #9 at the Euro based on how we play (as mentioned above... more of a possession rather than a counter attack). I think the one youth that needs to come (and I would love to see Orsolini as well) is Luca Pellegrini. Especially with how inconsistent we are at full back... i'd 100% take a shot on him. He's got balls..he'll shine on the world stage.
Agree on Pellegrini...he's been good this year. It's nice to see Ciro do well. But all of us know deep inside that if he is CF at the Euros he will miss many of those key chances. I hope I'm wrong. But he is a different player in Azzurro. I agree Belotti is the better fit but he's really been penalized by the chaos around him at Torino this year. Given how good our wingers and scoring midfielders are...Belotti is the perfect compliment to that as the physical guy to hold the ball and occupy defenders as guys run into space.